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Ireland Spearing 2012

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 90 days.
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Ah...that´s fine....better better is to get a portuguese world champion in their home soil :D If you lock Jody Lot in the toilet and you leave him there for 5 minutes he will get at least 2 seabass, a seabream and a conger....without speargun :D I´ll tell you some stories with him...in championships...he´s just completly crazy...really...in 2007 I think he forgot to put barbs in the spear and still made I guess a 3rd place in the nationals.... Another occasion the RIB broke down just before the beginning of the competition, so he kindly asked a lift from another guy and asked him to left him a zone that the locals called "the desert", completly without fish and the guys collect him just minutes before the end of the competition and he stayed the hole time alone in that area...he won that event... it´s fantastic his achievements in about one year, truly fantastic really, Euro-African Champion + World Champion...!

Regarding Team competition, it´s fine, not that much difference in the top, same level basicly :P

Once again and despite the great natural conditions here, there was no Team Ireland represented in the event. Could we see (an believe) in a light in the end of the tunnel in order to project the sport and the country in this segment...?

Interesting to see the old "my backyard" results coming through. Europeans vs. rest of world, more or less, with a resounding victory for the Europeans.

I wonder whether it is a case of limited funding? NZ/Aussie didn't send teams to Spain for the championships this year; likewise a competition set in, say, New Caledonia might be prohibitively expensive for European countries to send full-strength teams/management to the other side of the world to try and win?

All I will say is that these guys at the top level of the world spearfishing champs are apex predators. Plain and simple. Ruthless, single-minded predators with fantastic strategic thinking. They hunt fish as well as a shark would. Incredibly impressive stuff :cool:
 
"Windguru" forecasts can change from day to day. I'd been intending to get out tomorrow but when I checked last night the forecast had changed and the calmest weather moved to this morning. I'd been out in the sun all day Sunday and didn't feel like diving but I thought I'd better go anyway so at 5.30 I got up to feed the animals and make some breakfast. By 7.00 the car was packed and I set off West for my favourite pollack spot. High tide was at 8.50. I managed to get in the water at 7.45 to 8.00 and swam out to the mark.
There were plenty of small to medium fish where I anchored my float. Soon two of them were hanging on it.
Shortly after high tide the current really started to pull, making it an effort to stay level with the float while diving. At the same time a lot more fish arrived and I got a much bigger one which dived and tangled hard in the kelp. With the current and my lack of dive fitness it took me 3 dives to recover it. The next one I stoned dead with one shot.
By then my legs were cramping a bit so I gave it best and started the swim back to shore.
View attachment 34228 View attachment 34229

The fish weighed 7.9lbs, 7.7lbs, 5.3lbs, and 3.6lbs.

Temperature was a face-chilling 12 degrees, quite cold for the time of year!

Nice Pollack Sunfish
 
I had a bit of time this afternoon so as the high tide was in the morning I went to a low tide spot for bass. The recent flooding had taken the backfill from the slipway so naturally I had to back one of the cars back wheels over the edge while reversing down to the beach.:o It took me an hour of carrying stones and jacking and putting stones under the wheel before I could free the car.
The water was very calm with vis of around 4 metres and all the bass seemed to be right where I expected - laying up in the kelps in very shallow water, catching a bit of sunshine. Once I got to the best ground I got 2 bass in 2 shots and came back out again. Nothing much more to add except that the bass weighed 7lbs and 6.6lbs and water temperature was 14 degrees. Warmer than offshore.
2012JULY10thBASSJPG.JPG
 
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Just reading some of the older posts and like to revere all ye whom are discussing spearfishing competitions.... to your new Spearfishing Ireland and please scroll down to:
voluntary code of conservation.......!!!
I for one would lobby against any such competitions taking place on our shores.
Stocks are only now slowly recovering in-shore and no one who utters the word conservation could ever consider such practices here.
As your buddy said he was dropped in what was locally called : "the dessert"
we'r not really looking for any desserts here!
 
You should have gone with your instinct and come for me you big Girls blouse, I would have lifted you out!!

Well that'll teach me to back carelessly down the slipway while playing Hawkwind at a very loud volume:ycard:ycard.
Fancy a trip out Thursday over your way? I have to go shopping tomorrow so probably won't have time left. It's supposed to rain again Thursday but we'd be wet anyway swimming.
 
Just reading some of the older posts and like to revere all ye whom are discussing spearfishing competitions.... to your new Spearfishing Ireland and please scroll down to:
voluntary code of conservation.......!!!
I for one would lobby against any such competitions taking place on our shores.
Stocks are only now slowly recovering in-shore and no one who utters the word conservation could ever consider such practices here.
As your buddy said he was dropped in what was locally called : "the dessert"
we'r not really looking for any desserts here!

I agree. I campaigned against the banning of spearfishing in Northern Europe but would also campaign against spearing competitions of that kind being re-introduced here. It's interesting to look at the photos from the past but as far as I'm concerned "them days are gone" and I'm glad of it. Having the worlds best spearfishermen, or even Irelands best, all descending on a small area for two or three days to see who can kill most just has to be a bad idea.
Personally I don't like angling competitions either unless they're catch and release.
 
In regards to spearfishing comps, I have to agree with whats been said.
The whole idea of loads of top spearo's decending on one spot and clearing out one area is just not my idea of conservation and managable fishing, It seems more about bragging rights.

If a comp came to my area, I would be the first one standing there with the picket board.

On a lighter note anybody fished East Cork over the last few days, thinking of heading down after work, hav'nt shot a Bass since before the closed season.

cheers
 
I completly understand all the concerns regarding competitions/concerns about impact in local stocks and conservation :) , we are all spearos and definitly that we all share the same concerns, some of us with more envolvement than others, and of course some with more knowledge regarding the subjects that are shared in this forums than others, more than normal is a sign that we do care about things than happen in "our environment", although I would like to ask and taking all the potential of this forum, after a carefull search than I´ve made myself as well like others on previous post, just by curiosity and as a former competitor myself and knowing current competition rules (applied for instance in Portugal/Spain), what´s the biggest concerns raised regarding competion, since that:

- Competitions quotas are established in cooperation of local authorities (local laws) and with the permanent envolvement of important opinion makers in this subject like marine biologists (ex: the last Euro-African championship in Peniche/Por and World Championships Vigo/Spa).
- The competions areas (usually 3 zones - 2 areas + a reserved area in the case of bad conditions in the main zones, each one with about 10 to 15km in length for 3 to 7km width), are set after a previous research/study in the area regarding exactly the impact on the environment of the number of competitors;
- The time for how long the competition last is also set in order to set the ethical time regarding the environment impact;
- There is NO SUCH THING AS NO BAG LIMITS. Each edible specie for competion have a quota set by exactly the same environmental standard that rules the determination of the competition area;
- Fish weight. Interesting point this one. For being a valid scoring fish it need to be at the moment a well over the minimum legal size fish (come and see anglish competitions, specially in Portugal where a wrasse with score at about 300gr, bream at 200gr...it´s sad). In this past weekend in the World C. a valid wrasse must have the minimum of 1350gr (2.97624 lb or 2 lb and 15.61 oz). If you have less you won´t score and you might get penalty point (so basicly you need to know in advance species and sizes and weights). I´m not talking for the sake of talking, please find the rules applied, it in english, in http://www.wcsvigo2012.com/docs/rules.pdf;
- Two things can happen to the fish that was captured. If the fish is valid (from experience 80 to 90%), the spearo can decide if it will take with him or donate to a local charity or the lattest option that is having a warm welcoming, raffle some units to local audience. Non valid fish will go strait to charity / raffle;
- From experience, two or three days after the competitions I dived in places where they had competition. NEVER was overfished AND I got fish that would easily score according with the rules set, a cristal clear evidence that stocks WEREN´T affected.

I do believe that in the past, specially were in Ireland from stories that at this point I know pretty well regarding for example competitions in the 70´s that were barbarian set, without ethical rules or standads from those ones that set them (not according International standards - CMAS was founded in 1959, from the beginning conservation issues were set). The image of competitions here ARE definitly not the best and regarding history ARE a responsability from those that were present at that time. I´m a foreigner in this country, I do most of my vacations here in Ireland, spearfishing most of the time, I have no plans to go away, I spent 2 years without going to Portugal because, my home is not there, is here. In another hand, I do understand that if a bad image regarding competition is still amoung people here in Ireland, some of them still remembering those days, is because of what happen at those times and to be honest I really don´t know if in those line ups at that time if there was anyone else apart from locals or not. Although let me make myself clear, I do respect any opinion :) .

I can only share with you all what I know, I really can´t say nothing about what I don´t know or what think that I know, but regarding competition, this is what I know, a completly different perspective, sustain by facts, maybe because competiton standards/impacts are also way different from the culture where I came from. If on this and giving spearfishing as a all sport/leisure/activity like being envolved in educating, training, sharing experiences and pro-actively in changing mentalities I failed, then honestly I´m sorry.

Final note.
In Portugal (Ireland´s bailout brother :) )we don´t have this "sea vacuum cleaners", aka industrial trawlers, we did ban them in middle 80´s if I do remember, as we did ban as well "fishing arts" with, for example, some kinds of fishnets that I sadly still see here in practice in Ireland. A single industrial trawler in a single night is responsible for an unthinkable amount of bycatch and environment destruction that could cover easely a bigger area of spearfishing competion, although no comparation should be possible to be made. My question is, apart from expressing the frustraction in this forum like previous users did, is it possible to formalize in some kind of petition(s), since that I haven´t found none in past postings? Even if together with other opinion makers (anglers, kayak fishermans, environmentalists, etc.).

Thanks, and sorry once again if at any point I offended anyone more sensible regarding this issue. This is a public forum, I´m here like anyone else sharing things, can´t be pleasant to all, it would be a boring world anyway if all think in the same way wouldn´t be? :)
 
Deeper Blue is holding its own spearfishing competition during this years social event in Guernsey!
The winner is the diver who catches the highest number of species, not the heaviest bag of fish.
We have limited the species list to about 14 desirable to eat fish & shellfish all of which will be eaten buy the competitors & non spearing guest.
There is a limit of three fish of any given species per diver.
There will also be a smaller prize for the biggest bass & biggest flatfish but the emphasis is about specimen hunting for edible species not the biggest fish or heaviest bag of fish.
Conger & wrasse have been excluded & the minimum weight set around the best edible size.
 
Just reading some of the older posts and like to revere all ye whom are discussing spearfishing competitions.... to your new Spearfishing Ireland and please scroll down to:
voluntary code of conservation.......!!!
I for one would lobby against any such competitions taking place on our shores.
Stocks are only now slowly recovering in-shore and no one who utters the word conservation could ever consider such practices here.
As your buddy said he was dropped in what was locally called : "the dessert"
we'r not really looking for any desserts here!

Hi Dirkjan, thank you first off all for this post in general, raising your opinion (and concerns) and second for your genuine interest in knowing more about spearfishing in Ireland that might took you to visiting Speafishing Ireland , and exploring their contents. Just a small note, it´s not my site, it´s our site, it´s your´s, it´s mine, it´s publics. DB is a fantastic meeting point, I found here my diving buddies and prompt answers from a specialized pannel that shared some of them best practices with myself, but like you did search for something more that DB doesn´t have, a website could complement (tons of things to be add I know, your input, if you care as I do will be welcome and truly valid).

My goal isn´t to change your opinion regarding competiton with the post #1213 that you might seen before, no not at all. It´s a forum, it´s all about sharing experiences and opinions but also facts, reason why mostly here we post pictures and everyone is happy :) . I´m just sorry for haven´t seen before that your coment was regarding my opinion. Next time could you be so kind to press "quote" buttom so it would be easily to address the information strait and not leaving vage words in the air? Thank you in advance :)

Just a final note to clarify once again and not leaving vage words or sentiments in the air. "The desert" that I was talking about was about an area near Portimão, in Algarve, where fishing is still in practice from time to time using nets by local fishermans. It was an area where trawlers in the 70´s/80´s (35 to 17meters deep) where mass fishing so, regarded by locals isn´t that much good as it was in the pass.

Thank God that we struggle a lot and trawlers aren´t allowed in our local waters and creating more and more deserts, although for sure in some countries that they still have or allowed, well, that´s a main concern I think...that and selling 90% to 70% of their national annual European Union fishing quota to other countries, turning their back to the sea ;) But that´s a local issue, for sure isn´t a main public concern.
 
Deeper Blue is holding its own spearfishing competition during this years social event in Guernsey!
The winner is the diver who catches the highest number of species, not the heaviest bag of fish.
We have limited the species list to about 14 desirable to eat fish & shellfish all of which will be eaten buy the competitors & non spearing guest.
There is a limit of three fish of any given species per diver.
There will also be a smaller prize for the biggest bass & biggest flatfish but the emphasis is about specimen hunting for edible species not the biggest fish or heaviest bag of fish.
Conger & wrasse have been excluded & the minimum weight set around the best edible size.

Yep, that´s perfect, sounds perfectly sustainable Foxfish! Again I´m "almost" sure that the reasons for excluding conger & wrasse are, or because of the local legislation or because of the low local number of stocks that this species have in Guernsey and so spearos complaince with that...could you clarify shortly please?

When is it gonna be the event this year?

Pedro
 
just having lunch, and using WiFi.
today on the menu was shark, goatfish and dogfish...
yesterday I saw a local fishing on a beech he caught and kept over 30fish all juveniles under 3 inches long and a few other larger, he was proud and the locals didn't have much of a problem with it.
maybe our opinions are more reserved in Ireland's but I think that's for the best.
we left comps in the past and I think its for the best... Other countries like Spain and Portugal will look to us in the future as a country with great diving conditions and greater respect for the oceans. I am sure there are some in those countries who would like to see comps ended but it looks near impossible due to a 'culture' like our fishing arts in Ireland's as you say Pedro.

I dive for fun and 'always' have a little regret when I kill a fish but I know it will go to good use. When I travel I freedive, and I've been diving here seeing great things and never once felt the urge to shoot them. I could not imagine coming here to shoot lots of animals and giving them to a charity... Let them dive themselves...

finally a spearing comp has more impact than none.
 
Yep, that´s perfect, sounds perfectly sustainable Foxfish! Again I´m "almost" sure that the reasons for excluding conger & wrasse are, or because of the local legislation or because of the low local number of stocks that this species have in Guernsey and so spearos complaince with that...could you clarify shortly please?

When is it gonna be the event this year?

Pedro

Well yes and no, wrasse are quite common and Guernsey is probably the best place in the UK to catch big wrasse over 6lb but we do not consider them good eating or a sporting target. Conger are not so common but is is more about the eating qualities. We still get very big conger close to shore.
We also consider public relations, Guernsey is a popular venue for visiting anglers & these people mainly practice catch & release with wrasse & conger so we will practice - look & don't shoot.
We have included Crabs, lobsters & scallops too because they are all common & good eating.
Personally I have never fished in a competition apart from one or two over 30 years ago however I have made the rules & conditions for this event & I hope everybody will have a great time without effecting the fish stocks or upsetting the public in any justifiable way.
Look here for details http://forums.deeperblue.com/deeper...erblue-com-announce-guernsey-meet-2012-a.html
 
Well yes and no, wrasse are quite common and Guernsey is probably the best place in the UK to catch big wrasse over 6lb but we do not consider them good eating or a sporting target. Conger are not so common but is is more about the eating qualities. We still get very big conger close to shore.
We also consider public relations, Guernsey is a popular venue for visiting anglers & these people mainly practice catch & release with wrasse & conger so we will practice - look & don't shoot.
We have included Crabs, lobsters & scallops too because they are all common & good eating.
Personally I have never fished in a competition apart from one or two over 30 years ago however I have made the rules & conditions for this event & I hope everybody will have a great time without effecting the fish stocks or upsetting the public in any justifiable way.
Look here for details http://forums.deeperblue.com/deeper...erblue-com-announce-guernsey-meet-2012-a.html

Cheers Foxfish, got clarified,

Speaking about lobster, a friend of mine got recently about one week or two this little fella back in Peniche...he really is a character...if it´s a funny story to listen he´s the one to tell :)

In the portuguese news they spoke as well two days ago about a lobster caught in the north, similar to Ireland with tons of huge kelps. You can see the video here: Capturado em Espinho lavagante com 80 anos - País - Notícias - RTP Briefly, they thing that it has 80y old and around 50 cm.

396614_4202180973788_1928135432_n.jpg
 
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